Motor Caravan Parking Restrictions question 21 February at 9:51AM in Motoring 35 replies 1.4K views

sammynunes

For many years, we've stopped on a lovely seafront in Dartmouth for the occasional overnight in our converted VW T5. However, when we were down there last weekend we noted that the local council have put up signs prohibiting "Motor Caravans" between 9pm and 6am so we moved on to another spot,

I've since been trying to work out if it applies to our vehicle. A few years ago, I had very lengthy correspondance with the DVLA to try and register our van as a "Motor Caravan". It is currently registered as a car and I wanted to try and get the cheaper road tax that the "Motor Caravan" class would attract. Ultimately, they didn't accept that our vehicle met the definition.

So now I'm wondering, disthe "Motor Caravan" definition for on-street parking the same as the DVLA would use? Thus, would we be free to park anywhere that has this restriction as we are not actually in a registered "Motor Caravan"?

NBLondon

I wouldn't rely on that...  the council will use their own definition probably: if it looks like a motor caravan, it will get ticketed.   You might then be able to challenge using the V5 but do you want the hassle?

Belenus

Contact the local council and ask them.

TBagpuss

I'd recommend checking with the relevant council what their regulations are - they may have a different definition.

Rodders53

https://www.southhams.gov.uk/motorhome

Note the phrase

 Please note - overnight camping or sleeping is not permitted in any of our other Off Street Car Parks at any time.

Probably be in some by-laws?

Flight3287462

The council don't want people to park up and sleep overnight on the seafront.  If you try and get cute it will cost you.   

In Scotland you wouldn't be getting on some of the islands in a camper if you didn't have an overnight stay booked at a proper site.

Tucosalamanca

There's no legal definition of what a motor caravan is.
DVLA requirements for a motorcaravan are of little interest to the local council.
It's an interchangeable term and is used in many contexts.
Lots and lots of information on the various motorhome/vanlife/VW forums.

If there are signs saying no overnight camping / sleeping in vehicles etc, you'd be advised to stay elsewhere or expect a fine.

Maybe look at CAMpRA, they've got an extensive list of suitable spots for overnighting?
Campercontact, searchforsites, park4night are also good apps for finding day and night stopping points.

user1977

You'd need to read the Traffic Regulation Order for the parking restriction in question to check how exactly they defined it, but I'd be surprised if the council was coming up with a definition any different from the DVLA.

sammynunes

Cheers for all the answers.

I did check out the Devon TRO and it states "motor caravan has the same meaning as in Regulation 2(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984".

I think if we head there again we will put a sign in the window saying it's not a motor caravan, but a car.....even though it's a van.

  

Car_54

sammynunes said:

Cheers for all the answers.

I did check out the Devon TRO and it states "motor caravan has the same meaning as in Regulation 2(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984".

I think if we head there again we will put a sign in the window saying it's not a motor caravan, but a car.....even though it's a van.

  

According to that Regulation: '"motor caravan” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users;'
I suspect that covers your vehicle.

SpudGunPaul

sammynunes said:

Cheers for all the answers.

I did check out the Devon TRO and it states "motor caravan has the same meaning as in Regulation 2(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984".

I think if we head there again we will put a sign in the window saying it's not a motor caravan, but a car.....even though it's a van.

  

It won't work unless you add you're a freeman of the land.